The Roman Explorer

By Go City Expert

For a capital like Rome, so drenched in history, we want to help you explore the hidden treasures, appreciate its ancient culture and traditions and learn about the best kept secrets. We'll keep you up to date with local insights, festivities and important celebrations to give you some extra topical information and context as you experience the Eternal City. Look out for news, views and tricks of the trade to help you make the most of your trip. Our top spots should help you plan your itineraries and we even might be able to help you decide what to pack. For a city as celebrated as Rome, we’re not short of things to write about. We’ve got all you need as background reading to get you excited for your holiday. From celebrating the arts to the Immaculate Conception, the best Christmas Markets, or even our top 10 hotels; we’ve got all you need to know. Think of it as your personal, go-to guide and soon you’ll be saying veni, vidi, vici.

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A Royal visit to Rome

It's the convergence of two cultures as the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh are scheduled to visit Rome on the 3rd April. Fulfilling the postponed visit from last year, which was delayed due to illness, the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh are finally making the trip next month to meet with Pope Francis and the Italian president, Giorgio Napolitano. In anticipation of her visit, we’ve put together a list of places in Rome where the Queen might like to go and things to see during her stay. We hope her majesty is reading... Quirinal Palace This palace, known locally as Quirinale is the official residence of the President of the Italian Republic. Famously, it has been home to thirty popes, four kings and eleven presidents and spans over 110,500 square metres - giving Buckingham Palace a run for its money. Built in 1583, Quirinale is the sixth largest palace in the world and is adorned with impressive Renaissance art work and mosaics. If it’s good enough for the Italian royalty, it’s good enough for ours. St Peter’s Basilica Home to the Pope, there’s no doubt that the Queen will be visiting this iconic cathedral during her short stay. As the epicentre of Roman Catholicism, it has a wealth of history behind it, from masters of the Renaissance to papal patrons. If the Queen is after a view to remember then she should go up the Duomo (dome) for spectacular panoramas across the city. We’re sure the Pope will agree. Capitoline Museums For a bit of culture, history and to learn about the ancient ways of Rome, the Capitoline Museums are the perfect place to indulge in a bit of artistic appreciation. From sculptures, mosaics and paintings, the Queen can discover Rome’s talented past and marvel in its ancient archaeology and architecture. As a patron of the arts herself, we’re sure her majesty would enjoy a walk around this notable museum. Coliseum One of the most iconic sights in Rome, the Coliseum is as important a landmark to the city as St Peter’s Basilica. Drenched in history, the Coliseum was once the amphitheatre of legendary gladiator competitions and entertainment where the head of state, like the Queen, would have no doubt have been special guest over 2000 years ago. As a monumental landmark with such an exciting history, the Queen couldn’t leave Rome without walking through its ancient stone arches, surely? National Museum of Castel Sant’Angelo Another important historical landmark, this museum should be top of the Queen’s to-do list when she visits Rome in April. A building with many pasts, Castel Sant’Angelo has been everything from a military base, a prison, Papal refuge and even a fortress. Now the museum delves into its diverse past and is one of Rome’s most fascinating attractions. Just down the Tiber from St Peter’s Basilica, it would be a tragedy to miss it. We’re sure the Queen is getting excited for her impending visit, after all Rome is a city with much to offer and with a spread of ancient landmarks to see, so she’ll no doubt be busy. If you fancy a visit to Rome and like the sounds of the itinerary above then the OMNIA & Vatican Card is your key to the Eternal City, unlocking over 30 attractions and giving you free and discounted entry into the best sights. With a hop-on, hop-off bus tour, travel included and a guidebook it’s the perfect sightseeing pass.

How well do you know these Ancient Rome Facts?

Ancient Rome facts Do you want to learn a little more about the Eternal City and its origins? Then look no further than this handy pop quiz full of ancient Rome facts. 1. Rome was founded by twin brothers Twins Romulus and Remus were abandoned by their mother at birth, but discovered by a lone she-wolf who nursed them. They then grew up to found a city, but had a fatal disagreement over who would rule. Romulus killed Remus in the fight and named Rome after himself. You can find the original bronze statue Capitoline Wolf, of the wolf suckling the brothers, inside the Capitoline Museums. 2. The Colosseum was once filled with water The legendary stadium served as the location for gladiator combats, animal hunts and even... naval battles. That’s right, great ships were built and ‘sailed’ out into the flooded Colosseum where theatrical battles would be held, with hundreds of actors and live animals including alligators in the water! 3. The hills of ancient Rome influenced the language of today Capitoline Hill, the location of political power in Ancient Rome is responsible for the word ‘capital’ we use today. Not only that, but neighboring Palatine Hill, home to temples, monuments and religious structures gave way to the word ‘palace’. 4. Rome is the only city with a whole country inside it Vatican City, the smallest nation in the world, lies wholly inside Rome, taking up just 44 hectares. Governed by the Pope this tiny city has a population of just over 800, its own army, its own currency and its own post office! 5. Ancient Rome was home to the largest stadium ever Circo Maximo was a vast chariot racing stadium. It was so big almost 3 Colosseums could fit inside. On race days, it could welcome 250,000 spectators - the largest stadiums of today cannot even hold half that number! 6. Romans are the inventors of health spas The Romans took bath time very seriously. The word ‘spa’ comes from the Latin term Sana Per Acquam (health through water) and ancient bathhouses are still enjoyed to this day. Check out the ruins of the Baths of Caracalla to get an idea of how the Romans would get clean and unwind. 7. St Peter’s Basilica took 120 years to build To this day, St. Peter’s Basilica is the world’s largest church and the center of Roman Catholicism. With its opulent decorations and stunning vaulted ceilings, is it any wonder construction took so long to complete? In fact, five different architects took the helm during this magnificent structure’s build. 8. Archangel Michel appeared over the city to signal the end of the plague Yep, Archangel Michel is said to have appeared above the citadel sheathing his sword as a sign that the Justinian plague of 590 had ended. Formerly known as the Mausoleum of Hadrian, the building was renamed Castel Sant’Angelo to honor this event. Pick up an Omnia Rome and Vatican pass and make great savings on attraction admission. You can use your pass to gain free entry to Rome and Vatican City’s top attractions, as well as discounted entry to lots more museums, landmarks and famous locations.

Three courses in Rome’s best restaurants

As Elizabeth Gilbert rightly points out in her book ‘Eat, Pray, Love’, Rome is a city renowned for its gastronomic delicacies and where neighbourhoods are lined with pasticcerias, pizzerias and gelaterias. When you’re visiting Rome, you most certainly won’t leave hungry and even if you try, it is hard to find a bad meal – though be careful, you can find an overpriced one. Whatever the premise of your trip to the Eternal City, make sure you allow yourself time to have a true taste of the Roman culture. To make it easier for you we’ve come up with a simple itinerary to experience the best of local delicacies and traditions, from starter through to desert. Freni e Frizione An old car part garage, Freni e Frizione (whose name actually means ‘brakes and clutches’) is the place to go for a true sense of young, vibrant Roman foodie life. Nestled in a cobbled corner of Trastevere, this bar isn’t just visited for its strong drinks as much as its legendary antipasti. The place attracts drives of locals to join the culture of ‘little nibbles’ that Italy is so famous for, so make sure you get there early. Doors open at 7pm and the rule is that when you buy a drink you are entitled to as much food from the antipasti selection as you can stomach. Well, within reason. Laid out like an artisan buffet, you’re invited to choose from plates of chickpea salads to fresh mozzarella and tomato, baked ‘zucchine’ and Moroccan inspired cous cous. It’s an antipasti tradition given a modern makeover. Freni e Frizione is the perfect excuse to indulge in some pre-dinner snacks and whet your hungry appetite, so go and sample some rustic Roman delicacies whilst sipping on a refreshing, well made, cocktail crafted by the talented Roman bar staff. Via del Politeama, 4/6, 00153 Rome, Italy L’Economica In the heart of local San Lorenzo, near the main La Sapienza University, L’Economica is an unassuming and uncomplicated pizzeria. To taste some of the best home-made pizza, San Lorenzo offers tourist-free restaurants and tourist-free prices to leave you both satisfied in stomach and in pocket. Served up in a small restaurant with a mezzanine and tables spilling into the street when it’s warm, there’s plenty of room to sit- providing you don’t mind knocking elbows with your neighbour. The pizza choice is varied and true to its Roman roots where you can choose from simple Margheritas to meat feasts of spiced pork and salsicce (sausage); opt for toppings of heart of artichoke, parmesan shavings with fresh rocket, or even try some deep-fried courgette flowers for a true delicacy. These pizzas are lovingly made in the one-man kitchen of L’Economica, where the restaurant staff are all related in some distant Italian way. Wash your dinner down with some house red and leave feeling pleasantly full. Via Tiburtina, 46 00185 Roma Palazzo del Freddo Giovanni Fassi Fassi, as it’s known locally, is one of the oldest and most famous gelaterias in Rome. Founded in 1880, as it proudly advertises, the shop is 700 square metres with 200 of them dedicated to ice-cream making workspace. The Italians love their gelato so what better way to taste some of the flavours of the Mediterranean tradition than by sampling some heaped scoops to cleanse the palette. Lined with glass cabinets and diner-style tables and chairs, Fassi is a proper old-school ice cream parlour and you can even see the vintage ice cream makers on display as well. Open all hours Fassi caters to only the most knowing of tourists and is a local hot spot serving a mix of unique and classic flavours. From traditional tiramisu and exotic fruits, dark chocolate, hazelnut and even rice, to name but a few, choose your serving style of heaped generous scoops, ‘semifreddo’ or ‘granita’ (sundae-style ice cream). Just south of the main train station Termini, it’s a short walk from Vittorio Emmanuele metro station so if you want to space out your meal and walk off a course or two, Fassi is well worth a visit. Via Principe Eugenio, 65, 00185 Roma Make your trip to Rome that extra bit easier and invest in a OMNIA Vatican & Rome Pass. Not only can you visit the top attractions and monumental landmarks for free and with discounted entry, but you can travel round the city with a Travelcard and experience the sites from the comfort of a hop-on, hop-off bus tour. To find out more about how the OMNIA Vatican & Rome Pass works, click here.

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